News about Faculty & Staff

Department of Commerce Invests in College’s Welding Expansion

A $2 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration will help Penn College expand its welding facilities and increase the number of students enrolled in welding majors at the college.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has recognized Pennsylvania College of Technology’s vital contribution to the skilled workforce with a $2 million grant earmarked for expanding the college’s Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center.

The Economic Development Administration grant, combined with a $3 million match from the college, will approximately double the size of welding instructional space to more than 40,000 square feet and support an additional 60 students annually. There are currently about 350 welding students at Penn College.

“We are honored to be awarded this grant that will facilitate expansion of one of our most popular programs,” said Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost. “For generations, our welding department has produced graduates essential to the manufacturing workforce. Today, the need for skilled technical workers is acute. The grant ensures that more students will be given the opportunity to earn rewarding careers and fill that void. I’m thankful for the staff and faculty who worked very hard to make the possibility of expansion a reality.”

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Semester Start-Up Fodder for Newswatch 16 Broadcast

WNEP visits campus

Newswatch 16’s Kristina Papa visited campus Monday for a feature on the first day of classes at Penn College. In addition to spending time on the pedestrian mall, she talked with Caleb E. Cartmell, an automotive management technology major and president of the Student Government Association; Craig A. Miller, associate professor of history/political science and chair-elect of College Council; and Keanu N. Koch-Pfirman, a pre-physician assistant student from South Williamsport. Papa’s report aired during that evening’s newscasts.

A Helpful, Cordial ‘Hello’ to Fall 2017

Campus View RAs can’t contain their excitement!

With their loved ones providing an emotional, 11th-hour nudge toward an exciting and imminent tomorrow – and their new Penn College family sharing the reassuring voice of experience – Fall 2017 students greeted the academic year during traditional Welcome Weekend activities. After checking into their apartments on Saturday (and hitting area stores for those “must-have” items that weren’t on the list), the newest members of the campus community processed into the Rose Street Courtyard to celebrate their official arrival. More activities and acclimation followed, culminating in the start of classes Monday morning.

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Penn College Welcomes New Employees

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

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Innovative Thinking, Inclusive Action Vital to Institutional Success

On the cusp of Welcome Weekend and the start of Fall 2017 classes, Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour kicked off the fledgling semester Thursday with an all-college message to faculty and staff. While recapping a busy summer of change and challenge, outreach and optimism, she also championed new and renewed opportunities to transform students’ lives. Alluding to the college’s pledge of a welcoming educational environment, she reminded her audience that those opportunities apply to every student. “We should ensure that all members of our community, no matter their skin color, sexual orientation, gender or disability, can say they are Penn College Proud,” the president said.

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International Expertise Abounds at Rotomolding Workshop

Matthew Jackson, of Tennant Co., Minneapolis, a participant in a recent Rotational Molding Workshop at Penn College, attaches a radio telemetry system to a rotational mold to measure internal air temperature.

Scores of industry professionals gathered at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center this summer for advice about rotational molding from well-versed – and well-traveled – authorities in the field.

A total of 42 participants from 26 companies – representing 16 states, as well as Canada and Mexico – attended the ninth annual Hands-On Rotational Molding Workshop on the college’s main campus in June.

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Penn College Extrusion Workshop Proves Popular

Adam C. Barilla, instructor of plastics and polymer technology at Penn College, demonstrates tensile testing to participants during the 19th annual Extrusion Seminar & Hands-On Workshop at the college’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center. (Photo by Tia G. La, student photographer)

Nationwide plastics industry professionals converged at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s renowned Plastics Innovation & Resource Center for the 19th Annual Extrusion Seminar & Hands-On Workshop.

Forty-three participants, representing 20 companies and nine states, attended the three-day event led by extrusion experts Chris Rauwendaal and Kirk M. Cantor. Rauwendaal is president of Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering Inc. in Auburn, California; Cantor is a professor of plastics and polymer technology at Penn College. Combined, the duo has approximately 70 years of experience in plastics.

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Sun-Kissed Grads Revel in August Achievement

Stunningly framed on campus following the ceremony is Cynthia M. Wilt, of Hughesville, a surgical technology graduate.

Pennsylvania College of Technology held its Summer Commencement on Saturday at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport. Michael R. Harer, of Williamsport, who received an Associate of Applied Science degree in surgical technology, was the student speaker for the 11 a.m. ceremony. Nearly 250 degrees were conferred by President Davie Jane Gilmour and state Rep. Garth Everett, a member of the college board of directors. During the ceremony, the college also presented an Alumni Achievement Award to Kevin A. Hickman, a 2008 graduate of the physician assistant program.

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Last updated August 5, 2017 | Posted in Alumni, Events, Faculty & Staff, President, Students | This gallery contains 59 photos. | Tagged as | One Comment

Physician Assistant Alumnus Honored by Penn College

Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour presents the Alumni Achievement Award to Kevin A. Hickman, a 2008 physician assistant graduate.

A 2008 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s physician assistant major was honored with the college’s Alumni Achievement Award at Summer 2017 commencement ceremonies, held Aug. 5 at the Community Arts Center, Williamsport.

Kevin A. Hickman, of Avon, Connecticut, and a Luzerne County native, received the award in recognition of his contributions to the physician assistant field and his alma mater.

Hickman serves as director of Physician Assistant Services for Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, in Hartford, Connecticut. The medical center employs over 200 physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses, and is part of Trinity Health Of New England, a regional health system serving Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

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Penn College Welcomes New Employees

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

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Vital Blood Drive Set for Sept. 6-7 in Penn’s Inn

Red Cross blood drive scheduled for Sept. 6-7It’s a terrible scenario for patients and doctors alike: An emergency team rushes a patient to the hospital for lifesaving treatment only to find that there isn’t enough blood on hand. In an emergency when every second counts, a delay in the delivery of blood could potentially mean very bad news for someone in need. The Penn College community can help prevent such an awful situation and end the current nationwide Red Cross shortage, which is worsened by regular blood donors’ fewer appointments during the summer. Join College Health Services and the American Red Cross from noon-6 p.m. Sept. 6-7 in Penn’s Inn (Bush Campus Center, second floor). Online appointments to contribute to this crucial mission are available, and each donor will receive a $15 gift certificate redeemable online with hundreds of popular merchants.

Silver Anniversary, Golden Opportunity

Culinary giants joined forces to mark the 25th anniversary of the Visiting Chef Series at Penn College, an event celebrated in a new video on the college’s YouTube channel. “Louisiana’s culinary ambassador to the world” Chef John Folse, along with his renowned restaurant partner Chef Rick Tramonto, internationally heralded Pastry Chef Donald Wressell and Penn College alum Chef Elaine Gardner worked side-by-side in April with School of Business & Hospitality students to prepare an elegant, five-course fundraising dinner at the college’s Le Jeune Chef Restaurant. “Nothing speaks success more than growth,” Folse says. “So when you see the growth at a facility – the growth of the kitchens; the growth of the student body; the quality of the instructors; the support of the community; tonight, we have another sell-out crowd – what does that say? That says that there’s real wonderful happenings here. … There’s just no doubt about it: There’s something great happening in culinary here at Penn College. I want to be here just to continue to see what’s gonna happen next!”

High Schoolers Earn Free College Credit With Penn College NOW

High school students in Pennsylvania can earn free college credits by participating in the Penn College NOW dual-enrollment program, detailed in a new video on the college’s YouTube Channel. Partner schools provide a wide range of Penn College courses for students to jump-start their collegiate experience. The nationally accredited program features Penn College courses taught by approved teachers in a student’s home school or career and technology center. “I wish I was able to go into every single high school and just grab a hold of those kids and say, ‘Listen, you need to take these classes. They’re essentially free college credits,” says Sapphire E. Naugle, a plastics and polymer engineering technology student from Jersey Shore. “Once I did one class, I was like, ‘Wow, I don’t know why I waited so long to take these.’ And, throughout my junior and senior year, I took almost all Penn College classes.”

Brewing Up Some Major Promotion

Major swag: Glasses, openers and coasters promote the new brewing and fermentation science degree.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s new brewing and fermentation science degree was highlighted at the Billtown Brewfest on Saturday. Held in downtown Williamsport at Midtown Landing, an area behind Trade and Transit Centre II, the festival featured 30 craft breweries offering tastings. Representatives from the college’s Admissions, Alumni Relations and Corporate Relations offices were on hand for the event, answering questions about the new major and greeting alumni in attendance. Also participating was Timothy L. Yarrington, instructor of brewing and fermentation science and an award-winning brewmaster, who visited with fellow brewers and promoted Penn College’s academic entry into the industry. “I thought it was a great event in a great location,” Yarrington said. “It was good to see so many of my brewing peers here in Williamsport and be able to taste so many great products. I enjoyed catching up with some old friends and also making some new ones. I look forward to this becoming an annual Williamsport tradition.” Organized by the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau and Brickyard Restaurant & Ale House, the celebration of craft beers offered two three-hour tastings and featured entertainment by two local bands – The No Maddz and The Family Ties. Penn College’s brewing and fermentation science degree begins this fall.

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Last updated July 24, 2017 | Posted in Admissions, Alumni, Brewing & Fermentation Science, Faculty & Staff, Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications | This gallery contains 8 photos. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Volvo Video Celebrates Corporate Support of Education

Grouped near a Volvo excavator at the training site, alongside the West Branch of the Susquehanna River south of the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, are (from left): Flood, Breon, Peck, Hoffman, Witmer and Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies.

Peck (center) and Hoffman talk with Amy Crouse, Volvo Construction Equipment's product marketing and communication specialist.

Getting it on record, the crew talks with Flood ...

... and captures Witmer's hands-on perspective from behind the controls.

A long-standing partnership between Penn College and Volvo, emblematic of the corporate support that helps provide all six of the institution’s academic schools with relevant technology and laboratory tools, is extolled in a newly posted YouTube video filmed in May at the college’s heavy equipment training site in Brady Township. The visit by a crew from Volvo Construction Equipment in Shippensburg was arranged by Brian Hoffman, regional manager of Highway Equipment & Supply Co., itself a longtime supporter of students and faculty in the college’s School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies. Interviewed on camera at the work site were Makenzie E. Witmer, of Bellefonte, and Tyler M. Breon, of Millheim, both majoring in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis; Ryan W. Peck, instructor of diesel equipment technology; and Highway Equipment’s Ryan Flood, a member of the college’s Heavy Construction Equipment Technician Emphasis Advisory Committee.